How to Use Cufflinks: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wearing Cufflinks

Learning how to use cufflinks is an easy way to make formalwear look more polished. Cufflinks replace standard cuff buttons and fasten the ends of a dress shirt sleeve together. They are small accessories, but they add a considered finishing touch to suits, tuxedos, and smart business outfits.

This guide explains how to use cufflinks correctly, which shirts work with them, and how to choose a style for the occasion. Whether you are preparing for a wedding, a business meeting, or your first black-tie event, the right cufflinks can help your outfit look neat, balanced, and intentional.

What Are Cufflinks and When Should You Wear Them?

Cufflinks are decorative fasteners designed for shirts with cuffs that do not have permanently attached buttons. Instead of sewing the cuff closed, a cufflink passes through the buttonholes on both sides of the cuff and holds them together. Most cufflinks have a visible decorative front and a fastening mechanism at the back, such as a toggle, bullet back, chain, knot, or fixed post.

Knowing how to use cufflinks starts with understanding their purpose. They are traditionally worn for formal occasions, but they can also suit professional settings and refined social events. A simple silver or stainless-steel pair works well for office wear, while gold, engraved, gemstone, or novelty cufflinks are better suited to weddings, celebrations, and personal occasions.

• Business occasions: Choose subtle cufflinks in silver, steel, or dark enamel.
• Weddings: Select elegant designs that complement your suit, tie, and wedding theme.
• Black-tie events: Wear classic cufflinks with a tuxedo shirt, ideally coordinated with shirt studs.
• Milestone gifts: Engraved cufflinks are appropriate for graduations, anniversaries, and retirement celebrations.

Which Shirts Can You Wear Cufflinks With?

Before learning how to use cufflinks, make sure your shirt is designed to accept them. Cufflinks require cuffs with buttonholes on both sides, allowing the two cuff layers to be fastened together. French cuffs are the most common option, but convertible cuffs can also be worn with cufflinks.

A cufflink should sit comfortably at the wrist without pulling the fabric or causing the cuff to twist. If your shirt has ordinary sewn-on cuff buttons and no additional holes, it is not intended for cufflinks. Choosing the right shirt is the first step toward a smart and comfortable result.

French Cuff Shirts for Formal Style

French cuff shirts are the traditional choice for anyone learning how to use cufflinks. A French cuff is longer than a standard cuff and folds back on itself, creating two layers of fabric at the wrist. The cuff has no fixed button, so cufflinks are required to secure it.

These shirts are ideal for formal business events, weddings, evening receptions, and suits with a more tailored appearance. For a classic look, choose a white or pale blue French cuff shirt with understated silver cufflinks. A clean cuff should extend slightly beyond the jacket sleeve, usually by around half an inch.

Tuxedo Shirts and Black-Tie Cufflinks

A tuxedo shirt commonly features French cuffs, making cufflinks an important part of black-tie dressing. When considering how to use cufflinks with a tuxedo, choose a refined design that supports the outfit rather than distracting from it. Black onyx, mother-of-pearl, silver, gold, or plain polished metal are timeless options.

For the most coordinated appearance, match your cufflinks with your shirt studs, watch, and other metal accessories. For example, silver cufflinks usually work best with a silver watch and a black leather strap. Avoid oversized novelty designs at traditional black-tie occasions unless the event dress code specifically invites a more creative style.

Convertible Cuffs for Flexible Dressing

Convertible cuffs provide flexibility because they include both a standard button closure and holes for cufflinks. This makes them useful for people who want to wear the same shirt in different settings. During a regular workday, you can use the attached button; for an evening event, you can switch to cufflinks.

If you are new to how to use cufflinks, convertible cuffs are a practical place to start. They allow you to experiment with cufflinks without buying a separate French cuff shirt. Make sure the cuff holes align neatly before inserting the cufflink, as the fabric should lie flat against the wrist.

Shirts You Should Not Wear Cufflinks With

Do not force cufflinks onto shirts with standard barrel cuffs that have only sewn-on buttons. These cuffs are designed to close with their own buttons and generally do not provide enough fabric or properly placed holes for cufflinks. Trying to alter or stretch the cuff can damage the shirt and create an untidy appearance.

Casual shirts, including flannel shirts, polo shirts, denim shirts, T-shirts, and most chambray shirts, are also not natural choices for cufflinks. Understanding how to use cufflinks includes knowing when not to wear them. Cufflinks look best when paired with structured dress shirts, tailored jackets, and occasions that call for a more formal finish.

How to Use Cufflinks in 5 Simple Steps

The basic method for how to use cufflinks is the same for most styles. First, fold or position the cuffs, line up the holes, insert the cufflink, and secure the fastening. The decorative face should remain visible on the outside of the wrist, while the fastening mechanism sits on the inside.

Take your time the first few times you wear cufflinks, especially if you are using a toggle fastening. It may be easier to put them on before wearing a jacket, using a mirror or placing your forearm on a flat surface. Once you understand the process, fitting cufflinks takes only a few seconds per cuff.

Step 1: Open and Position the Shirt Cuffs

Start by putting on your dress shirt and leaving the cuff ends open. With French cuffs, fold the cuff back so that the inner sides of the cuff meet. The result should resemble a double cuff, with two layers of fabric at the wrist.

When learning how to use cufflinks, check that the outer faces of the cuffs are facing outward and that the shirt sleeve is not twisted. The cuff should sit naturally around your wrist. Do not pull it too tightly, as you need enough room to align the buttonholes comfortably.

Step 2: Align the Cufflink Holes Correctly

Bring the two ends of the cuff together and carefully line up all of the buttonholes. On a French cuff, there are usually four holes in total: two on one side and two on the other. The holes must create a clear, straight path for the cufflink post.

Correct alignment is an important detail in how to use cufflinks. If the holes are uneven, the cufflink can sit at an angle, pull the fabric, or become uncomfortable. Hold the cuff in place with your fingers while preparing the cufflink in your other hand.

Step 3: Set the Cufflink Toggle or Fastening

Most modern cufflinks use a swivel toggle, also called a bullet back. Before inserting it, rotate the toggle into a straight position so it is in line with the post. This narrow shape allows the cufflink to pass through the cuff holes easily.

Different cufflinks may use different fastenings. Chain-link cufflinks have two decorative ends joined by a chain, while knot cufflinks use a flexible silk or elastic knot. Fixed-back cufflinks have no moving part and may require slightly more care during insertion. Knowing the fastening type makes how to use cufflinks much simpler.

Step 4: Insert the Cufflink Through Both Cuff Layers

Slide the cufflink post through the aligned holes, starting from the outer side of the cuff. The decorative face should remain visible on the outside of your wrist. Push the post through both layers of fabric until the fastening reaches the inside of the cuff.

For toggle cufflinks, keep the toggle straight while passing it through. For chain-link or knot cufflinks, gently guide the smaller end through the holes without pulling the fabric. This part of how to use cufflinks should not require force; if it does, check that the holes are properly aligned.

Step 5: Secure and Adjust the Cufflink Fit

Once the cufflink is through the holes, rotate the toggle so it lies across the post. This locks the cufflink in place. For other fastening styles, make sure the back piece is fully through the cuff and resting securely against the fabric.

Finish by smoothing the cuff and checking that the decorative face is upright. A properly fitted cufflink should hold the cuff closed without pinching your wrist or bunching the sleeve. The final adjustment is a key part of how to use cufflinks, because clean positioning makes the accessory look more refined.

How to Match Cufflinks With Your Outfit and Occasion

The best cufflinks complement the formality, color, and materials of the rest of your outfit. You do not need to match every accessory exactly, but the metals should look deliberate together. Silver cufflinks pair naturally with silver watches, while gold cufflinks work well with gold-tone watch details, rings, or belt hardware.

When deciding how to use cufflinks as part of an outfit, consider the event first. For formal situations, simpler designs are usually the safest choice. For celebrations or personal gatherings, cufflinks can show more personality through engraved initials, colored stones, family symbols, or meaningful designs.

Cufflinks for Weddings, Business Wear, and Formal Events

For a wedding, choose cufflinks that coordinate with your suit and the event’s level of formality. Silver, gold, pearl, and engraved cufflinks are popular options. If you are the groom, cufflinks may include initials, a wedding date, or a subtle design that reflects the theme of the day.

For business wear, understated cufflinks are usually more appropriate than bold or humorous styles. Plain metal, dark enamel, or small geometric designs work well with navy, charcoal, and grey suits. Learning how to use cufflinks for professional settings means keeping the overall look polished rather than overly decorative.

Choosing Gold, Silver, Engraved, and Statement Cufflinks

Gold cufflinks create a warmer, more traditional look and can be especially effective with navy, brown, cream, and black formalwear. Silver cufflinks are highly versatile and suit most shirt colors, including white, blue, grey, and black. Stainless steel is a durable, affordable choice for frequent wear.

Engraved cufflinks are meaningful gifts because they can feature initials, dates, or short messages. Statement cufflinks, such as colorful stones or unique shapes, are best used selectively. For a balanced approach to how to use cufflinks, let one accessory stand out and keep the tie, pocket square, watch, and jewelry relatively restrained.

• Silver: A versatile option for business and formal occasions.
• Gold: A classic choice for weddings, eveningwear, and special celebrations.
• Engraved styles: Suitable for gifts, milestone events, and personal keepsakes.
• Gemstone cufflinks: Best for elegant evening events and dressier occasions.
• Novelty cufflinks: Appropriate for relaxed celebrations where personality is welcome.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Use Cufflinks

Many people are unsure about how to use cufflinks because the accessory is not worn every day. The process is straightforward once you have the correct shirt and understand the fastening type. French cuff shirts are the most traditional choice, while convertible cuffs offer a more flexible alternative.

For the most polished result, keep your cufflinks clean, secure, and appropriate for the setting. Store them in a small box or soft pouch to reduce scratches, especially if they are made of precious metal or include stones. The questions below address common concerns about wearing cufflinks correctly.

• Can cufflinks be worn without a jacket?
  Yes. You can wear cufflinks with a French cuff shirt without a jacket, particularly at a wedding reception or formal dinner. However, a tailored jacket often provides the most traditional and balanced appearance.
• Do cufflinks go on the inside or outside of the wrist?
  The decorative face goes on the outside of the wrist, where it is visible. The toggle, chain, or fastening mechanism should sit on the inside of the cuff.
• Can you wear cufflinks with a regular button-up shirt?
  Only if the shirt has convertible cuffs or cufflink holes. Standard barrel cuffs with sewn-on buttons are not designed for cufflinks.
• Should cufflinks match a watch?
  They do not need to match perfectly, but coordinating metal tones usually creates a more intentional appearance. Silver cufflinks work well with silver watch hardware, while gold cufflinks pair naturally with gold-tone details.
• Are cufflinks suitable for everyday work?
  They can be, especially in formal professional environments. Choose simple, lightweight cufflinks in silver, steel, or dark enamel for regular office wear.